Training device for base-ball players.



. v w. G. LENZ. TRAINING DEVICE FOR BASE BALL PLAYERS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 11. 1909.

I 928,674. Patented July 20, 1909.

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WILLIAM G. LENZ, OF RIDGEWOOD HEIGHTS, NEW YORK.

TRAINING DEVICE FOR BASE-BALL PLAYERS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 20, 1909.

Application filed May 11, 1909. Serial No. 495,341.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WiLLmM G. Lmvz, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ridgewood Heights, in the county of Queens and-State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Training Devices for Base-Ball Players, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to training apparatus for base-ball players, and comprises target means of that type described in my pending application for patent, Serial No. 491,929, filed April 24, 1909.

This invention is designed primarily for cultivating accuracy in throwing and batting balls, being constructed, however, more particularly for use by batsmen and basemen as will be fully pointed out hereinafter.

To obtain a full comprehension of the de tails of construction of this invention, including the merits and special advantages possessed thereby, reference is to be had to the specific description hereinafter, and to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a front elevation of a device embodying the invention, one of the runners of the rocker-base being shown in section at its outermost portion; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the invention, one of the runners of the rocker-base being broken away to show more clearly the connections between the stop devices limiting the movement of the target standard with said runner, and Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view taken on the section line 3-3 of Fig. 1, looking downwardly.

Throughout the following detail description and on the several figures of the drawing similar parts are referred to by like reference characters.

In general structure my present invention is made up of certain parts corresponding in operation to the main parts of the apparatus described in my former application.

The invention consists of a main or stationary base 1 upon which is 'mounted a rocker-base 2, the latter carrying the target standard 3 toward which theball is to be thrown or batted in the actual use of the invention by base-ball players and either indoors or out-doors. The base 1 is adapted to be positioned at a certain place on the base-ball field by means of anchors i connected with the base by chains or any similar connections.

The rocker-base 2 comprises spaced runners 5, short uprights 6 projecting upwardly from each runner and converging toward their upper ends at which points the up rights are attached to a transverse supporting member 7 which is securely fastened at its middle portion to the lower end of the stand ard 3. The transverse member 7 consists of spaced plates 7, the middle portions of which are formed with angular seats 7 adapted to receive the standard 3 at opposite sides thereof, fastenings 8 passing through the standard and securing the plates 7 firmly thereto. 'A brace 9 connects the short uprights 6 of each runner 5 and the rockerbase when constructed as above is quite rigid and firmly supports the standard 3. The standard 3 is constructed so as to provide a circular target ring or body 3 at its middle portion, this target ring being the object at which the ball is thrown or batted in the use of the apparatus. Within the ring 3 are spaced flexible cords lOrconnected therewith by suitable, hooks and which are spaced a distance about equal to the width of the dummy home plate or bag 11 which is attached to the top of the stationary base 1. Above and below the target ring 3 of the standard 3 are laterally and oppositely eX- tending arms 12 situated so as to indicate the distance between the shoulder level and the knee level of the average man or baseball player. 7

In order that the ball thrown at the target device may not be injured, it is contemplated to pad the front portion of the standard 3 and its rin tar et 3 as shown most clearl in Fig. 2 at 13.

It is designed that the target standard 3 shall yield under the force of the blow when struck by a ball and for this reason the rocker-base 2 is constructed as above described, whereby the standard 3 may yield rearwardly by rocking movement of the runners 5 on the base 1. For the above purpose short posts 1d are secured to the rear portion of the base 1 and passed upwardly through slots 15 in the rear ends of the runners 5. Springs 16 are interposed beneath the under sides of the runners 5 and the base 1, and are coiled about theposts 14:. As the standard 3 tilts rearwardly the springs 16 afford a resilient bearing for the rockerbase 2 and restore the same to its normal upright position after the force of the blow of the ball has been expended. The forward tilting movement of the rocker-base 2 is limited by posts 14: secured to thefront end of the base 1 and passing through slots 15 in the runners 5, said posts having laterally and upwardly projecting stop members 17 receiving the runners therebetween and limiting the forward movement of the rocker-base in an obvious manner.

When the invention is being used for cultivating batting accuracy it is placed in that part of the field where the batter desires to hit the ball. The ball may then be pitched toward the batter and time devoted by the latter in trying to place the ball wherever desired and at anyspot where the target device may be located.

In the use of the device by basemen the target will be placed in advance of a base and pitchers and other basemen will aim to throw through the ring 3 to a player in rear of the target.

The runners 5 are connected at their niddle portions with the stationary base l by means of loose pivotal connecting devices 20, said devices being composed each of two spaced plates on opposite sides of the runner and secured to the base 1, a pivot member extending through an elongated opening in each runner and being mounted on said spaced plates.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A target device for base-ball players comprising a stationary base, a rocker-base mounted on the stationary base, a target standard carried by the rocker-base, and yielding means for holding the standard normally in an upright position.

2. In a target device for base-ball players, the combination of a stationary base, a rocker-base mounted thereon, a target standard carried by said rocker-base, yielding means permitting rearward movement of said target standard, and stop means limiting return movement of the standard after being forced rearwardly.

3. A target device for base-ball players comprising a stationary base, a rocker-base mounted thereon and consisting of spaced runners, a target standard mounted on the rocker base, posts on the stationary base, springs on said posts engaging the runners and yieldingly permitting rearward tilting of the rocker-base, and stop posts on the stationary base engaging the runners and provided with stop members preventing forward tilting movement of the rocker-base.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM G. LENZ. 1V itnesses CrrAs. LENZ, IDA. BURBAorr. 

